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Siemens demos Connected Vehicle technology in Tampa

Austin, TX – On November 29th, Siemens and NXP Semiconductors hosted live Connected Vehicle demonstrations in downtown Tampa in conjunction with the Florida Autonomous Vehicle Summit. Participants were driven around the half-mile course to experience how Connected Vehicle and Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2X) technologies work in a real-world setting. The technologies demonstrated reflect some of the systems that Tampa will feature as part of the upcoming Tampa-Hillsborough Expressway Authority’s (THEA) and U.S. Department of Transportation’s Connected Vehicle pilot project.

The demonstration vehicle exhibits Connected Vehicle technology including “green light driving” scenarios where the drivers can adjust their speed in order to make it safely through an intersection.

Siemens, as a member of the Tampa-Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) team, has been chosen by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to provide innovative vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) technology for the new Connected Vehicle pilot project. Siemens V2I technology will enable vehicles and pedestrians to communicate with traffic infrastructure like intersections and traffic lights in real-time to reduce congestion specifically during peak rush hour in downtown Tampa. The technology will also significantly help improve safety and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This is one of three projects funded by the USDOT to pilot next-generation technology in infrastructure and vehicles that can impact unimpaired vehicle crashes, which make up 80 percent of the crashes on the road.

The CV Pilot Program, now moving into Phase 2 which includes design and deployment, aims to improve rush hour safety and congestion by:

Rush hour safety and congestion relief: CV technology will help prevent crashes on the REL during peak travel times by altering drivers of hazards on the road ahead

Wrong-way drivers: Onboard units will alert drivers who are attempting to enter the REL in the wrong direction, and will warn drivers when a wrong-way driver has entered the roadway

Pedestrian safety: Many crosswalks will be equipped with roadside units to warn oncoming drivers when a pedestrian is present in the crosswalk. Participating pedestrians will also receive warnings on their smartphones.

Improved safety and on-time performance for public transit: Connected buses will communicate with traffic signals to receive priority in order to arrive on time, and streetcar operators will receive warnings when a driver or pedestrian is attempting to cross the track.

As part of Phase 2, THEA plans to recruit volunteer drivers beginning in the fall of 2017 to participate in the pilot. After approximately 20 months, the project will enter a third, 18 month operational phase to be concluded in late 2019. To learn more about the project, please visit http://drivethea.com/.

About Siemens USA

Siemens Corporation is a U.S. subsidiary of Siemens AG, a global technology powerhouse that has stood for engineering excellence, innovation, quality, reliability and internationality for more than 165 years. With 348,000 employees in 190 countries, Siemens reported worldwide revenue of approximately $86.2 billion in fiscal 2015. Siemens in the USA reported revenue of $22.4 billion, including $5.5 billion in exports, and employs approximately 50,000 people throughout all 50 states and Puerto Rico. To receive expert insights sign up for Siemens’ U.S. Executive Pulse leadership blog. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter at: www.twitter.com/siemensUSA.